A little stress at the right time can actually help corn grow stronger. Early-season water limits encourage deeper roots, letting plants reach more nutrients and moisture. Waiting on some nitrogen pushes corn to tap natural soil nitrogen first. Done carefully—avoiding stress during key growth stages—this approach can boost yields and make crops more resilient to challenges later in the season.

Soil health has been a big topic in agriculture lately, but for many farmers, it can feel abstract or even risky to change tried-and-true practices. Nitrogen management: how much, when, and how often it’s applied shapes soil microbes and crop performance. Smaller, frequent applications, plus cover crops and manure, support healthy soils, stronger microbial communities, and better yields. Good soil health is smart farming.